One of the most remarkable offerings ever collected was given by a rag-tag band of nomads journeying through one of the world’s roughest stretches of wilderness. God’s ancient people, the Israelites, prompted by our Lord’s command through the lips of Moses gave as generously as any congregation anywhere for the construction of the Tabernacle.
Among the many commendable things which may be observed in this offering we will focus on two. First, this was a God-initiated offering. Moses did not cook up this appeal in a strategy session with Israel’s leaders. The same God Who detailed the design of His Tabernacle also directed the giving which would provide the materials for the Tabernacle. God always pays His bills and He pays them on time. The biggest secret to successful stewardship is really no big secret at all – God must initiate the offering. As J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, said “God’s work done in God’s way will have God’s support.” Stated another way: What God does not initiate He does not perpetuate and what He does not perpetuate He does not consummate and what He does not consummate He does not appreciate. Israel’s offering was actually the LORD’s offering (35: 5). God followed the plan He has used through the ages – He told His people through His servant what He planned to do and directed them to join Him in His work. Our offerings often fail because they are just that – our offerings! If we would have the blessing of God we must first seek the heart of God.
The other reason this offering was wildly successful is that it grew out of willing hearts. [E]veryone whose heart is willing (35: 5). Everyone whose heart was moved and whose spirit prompted him (35: 21). So the Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all…whose hearts prompted them (35: 29). [E]veryone whose heart moved him (36: 2). [T]he people continued to bring freewill offerings (36: 3). It reads like a refreshing refrain. The collections were not coerced. The monies were not manipulated. The givers were not “guilted” into giving. Human pressure did not account for their giving. They gave because they wanted to give. True giving is artesian – it wells up deep in the soul and springs out in a never ending stream. The principle is true in both testaments. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart – not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9: 7). The word cheerful is the word from which we get our word “hilarious”. God loves a “hilarious” giver. God wants us to give with the spirit of Tiny Tim not Ebenezer Scrooge.
What happens when God initiates an offering and His people respond with willing hearts? There was more than enough (36: 7). The Tabernacle went up when God demanded and as God demanded because His people His people responded to His appeal to join Him in His work.